Meath advanced to the last four of the All-Ireland MFC after holding off a strong second-half comeback by Derry in today's last eight clash at the Athletic Grounds.

The Leinster champions came away from the Armagh venue with a hard-earned 1-15 to 1-10 victory under their belt.

Backed by the wind, the first-half belonged to the Joe Treanor managed side who enjoyed a 1-10 to 0-4 cushion at the break.

Luke Mitchell netted their goal and the same player sent over the first point of the second-half to open up a 10-point lead for the team in green and gold.

But, to their credit, Derry refused to throw in their towel and they fought back to trail by just a solitary point with eight minutes left on the clock after Conleth McGuckian had sent Meath 'keeper Sean Brennan the wrong way with a penalty kick.

The stage was set for a grandstand finish and the Royal County rose to the occasion.

Late points from Mitchell (3) and captain Mathew Costello sealed a semi-final date with the winners of tomorrow's quarter-final between Galway and Clare.

Meath - S Brennan; J O'Hare, H O'Higgins, C Hickey; C Farrelly, S Coffey, O McCloskey; A Reilly (0-1), C McBride (0-1); D Swaine (0-2), M Costello (0-1), B McCormack (0-1); D Bell (0-1), L Kelly (0-2), L Mitchell (1-6, 0-5f). Subs: C Hawdon for B McCormack, L Newe for O McCloskey, K Price for H O'Higgins (BC), N Bennett for D Swaine, J Moore for L Kelly.

Derry - A Gillen; R McFaul, A McCluskey, E McKeever; J Duggan, J McErlain, A Canavan; N Doyle (0-1), I Donaghy; E McElhennon, E Downey (0-5, 1f, 1'45), E Doherty; E Hawe, C McGuckian (1-4, 1-0pen, 0-3f), C Milne. Subs: PJ McAleese for J Duggan, S Kearney for A Canavan, C McAteer for E Hawe, D Mooney for E McElhennon, R Lee for C McGuckian (BC).

Referee - L Devenney.

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